Defence & security will feature heavily in today's #PMQs. Cameron will look to remain statesmanlike, avoiding any #Corbyn point scoring.
— BM Public Affairs (@BMPubAffairs) November 18, 2015
Corbyn seemed to struggle with first question in asking for current travel advice. All on the FCO website #PMQs
— Jack Carnell (@jackcarnell) November 18, 2015
Corbyn followed up by asking the Prime Minister to endorse the notion that Britian's two million Muslims do not share any sympathy with ISIS but Cameron used the question to call on Muslim scholars to redouble their efforts to debunk claims by the terrorist group that Islam supports its actions.
Cameron points out that "ISIL not representative of Islam." #PMQs
— PHA Public Affairs (@PHAPolitical) November 18, 2015
Cameron line (repeated through the week) on critical distinction between Islam & ISIL is nuanced & strong. Enforces statesman creds. #PMQs
— BM Public Affairs (@BMPubAffairs) November 18, 2015
Corbyn used further questions, including one crowdsourced from 'John' to attacks the Government's plans to cut policing numbers in London by 5,000.
Ah, peoples #PMQs is back!
— Jack Carnell (@jackcarnell) November 18, 2015
Cameron goes into flashman bully mode personally attacking Corbyn saying he should agree to shoot first and ask questions later #PMQs
— John Locke (@JohnLockeZero) November 18, 2015
Questions then moved to the subject of Syria where the Prime Minister was read the results of a poll which said only 15 pwer cent of the public would support attacks on Syria without UN support but Cameron indicated that, although preferable' he would not wait for a UN Security Council resolution to launch air strikes in the country in the face of vetoes or threatened vetoes from other countries and that his first job was to protect UK citizens, not read polls.
The response drew cheers from Cameron's backbench and allowed him to set out a muscular response to attempted terrorist attacks in Britain.
Corbyn has repeatedly opposed air strikes in Syria and is seen as a major roadblock to achieving the consent of the House to go ahead with them.
But this left Corbyn looking weak and Cameron statesmanlike in a week where talking tough was the order of the day, a nuance not lost on commentators.
Cameron says it is not his job as Prime Minister to read opinion polls but to make the right decision. #PMQs
— PHA Public Affairs (@PHAPolitical) November 18, 2015
Public affairs commentators agreed that cameron rather than Corbyn had enjoyed a better PMQs this time around.
Clear win for DC today as JC is unable to land any blows. Left to backbench Labour MPs to hold gov. to account #PMQs
— Curtin&Co (@Curtinandco) November 18, 2015
Our thoughts from this week's #PMQs pic.twitter.com/DcVcnitxFk
— FleishmanHillard UK (@fleishmanUK) November 18, 2015